Abstract
We aimed to quantify the inertial parameters of the lower trunk segment in pregnant Japanese women and compare kinetic data during tasks calculated with parameters estimated in this study to data calculated with standard parameters. Eight pregnant women and seven nulliparous women participated. Twenty-four infrared reflective markers were attached to the lower trunk, and the standing position was captured by eight infrared cameras. The lower trunk was divided into parts, and inertial parameters were calculated. Pregnant women performed a movement task that involved standing from a chair, picking up plates, and walking forward after turning to the right. Kinetic analysis was performed using standard inertial parameters and the newly calculated parameters. There were more significant differences between methods in the kinetic data at the latter stages of pregnancy. The inertial parameters calculated in this study should be used to ensure the validity of biomechanical studies of pregnant Japanese women.
Highlights
The abdomen increases in mass and volume during pregnancy, causing changes in physical function
Difficulties performing a trunk flexion movement caused pregnant women to rise from a chair with insufficient forward displacement of their center of mass (COM), meaning that they transitioned to walking and enhanced their forward propulsion after the transition to walking to compensate for insufficient forward displacement of the COM
The moment of the lower trunk segment and the location and velocity of the COM were calculated at initiation of motion and each of these events
Summary
The abdomen increases in mass and volume during pregnancy, causing changes in physical function. The center of mass (COM) location shifts and the alignment of the spine exhibits compensatory changes (Franklin and Conner-Kerr, 1998; Gaymer et al, 2009; Ostgaard et al, 1993) These changes in alignment differ between individuals (Gilleard et al, 2002) and can affect the musculoskeletal and postural control systems (Nagai et al, 2009; Ponnapula and Boberg, 2010), cause low back pain (Bastiaanssen et al, 2005; Cheng et al, 2009; Gutke et al, 2010; Lisi, 2006) and make it difficult for pregnant women to perform some activities of daily living (Garshasbi and Faghih Zadeh, 2005). Insufficient lower extremity lift and enhanced forward propulsion caused uncertain toe clearance and postural unsteadiness at the initiation of walking, increasing the risk of falling (Sunaga et al, 2013)
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